Wagonxcoupl



(N0 Modl.)

A. 0. LONG.

WAGON COUPLING.

392,619. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

a 4Q K C Z weizzorx f %%6 Cf org.

afar-nay,

1' ATEN'I trio's.

ALPHEUS 0. LONG, OF EDGAR, ILLINOIS.

WAGON=COUPLING.

SPECIFICATIDN forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,619, dated November 13, 1888.

Application filed July 25,1888. Serial No. 381,139.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALPHEUS 0. Lone, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgar, in the county of Edgar and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vagon-Oouplings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in adjustable or extension reaches for wagons, and has for its object the production of the device for effecting said extension without in any manner necessitating a change in reaches or in the running-gear ordinarily in use; and to this end the invention consists of a box, partially of wood and partially of metal or other material, for the reception of the end of the reach, and. provided with a projecting tongue having a hole to receive the kingbolt.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device, showing the end of the reach applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a section on the line or m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the device with the top plate removed; and Fig. 4 is a section on the line a z of Fig. 3, with the top plate in place.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the reach of a wagon runninggear, and is of the construction ordinarily employed, being as is usual fixed to the rear running-gear and secured by the kingbolt or otherwise to the front running-gear, a hole, B, being provided for the purpose.

When it is desirable to lengthen the distance between the front and rear axles of the wagon, I remove the reach from the front running-gear and attach my improved device to the said reach and to the said front runninggear. This device consists, essentially, of two strips, 0, separated a distance equal to the width of the reach and of a thickness equal to the thickness of the reach, and are joined rigidly to plates E, preferably of metal. It

will thus be seen that by so constructing the device I form a box with wooden sides and metal top and bottom. To one end of the box so formed I rigidly secure a tongue, F, so as (No model.)

to project from the said box and form in said projecting part a hole, H. This tongue F is of the same size and shape as the forward end of the reach A, and the hole H therein corresponds in position with the hole B, so that without change this tongue may replace the reach in the front running-gear. In the plates E are matched holes G for the reception of a pin that, passing through said plates and the reach between them, pulls the latter firmly in the box. Any desired number of holes, G, may be used in order to provide for the longitudinal adjustment of the reach within the box. WVhen in use, the box forms a bearing-plate for the front hounds of the running-gear, and thus serves a double purpose, as is evident.

I am aware that it is not new to provide a wagon-reach coupling that will form a bearing for the front hounds of the running-gear. Such coupling, however, is not provided with a rigid tongue to receive the king-bolt, but so formed as to allow the reach to pass entirely through it, and in practice is bolted to the said hounds.

I am also aware that it is old to provide a coupling composed of upper and lower plates, in which the reach is also passed entirely through it; but I am not aware that any one has heretofore provided an adjustable coupling composed of a top and bottom metallic plate with a plurality of matched perforations, and end strips interposed between the said plates to form an entrance for a reach, and rigidly secured to one end of this opening a tongue having the perforation to receive the king-bolt.

In the device constructed according to my invention it will be seen that no change whatever is required in the running-gear ordinarily in use, and that it is only necessary to insert my device in the running-gear tomake the same adjustable.

Having described my invention, whatI claim 1s-- A device for converting a stationary reach in a wagon runninggear into an adjustable reach, consisting of a box formed of side pieces and metallic top and bottom plates,

and a, tongue, F, rigidly secured within the box and projecting from one end thereof, the said tongue and plates being provided with holes, as described, thedevice being constructed to receive and adjustably retain the forward end of a reach and to form a bearing for the front hounds of the said running-gear, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALPHEUS 0. LONG.

Witnesses:

WM. T. WATsoN, J. W. WYNN. 

